“Free The Nipple is a film, an equality movement, and a mission to empower women across the world. We stand against female oppression and censorship, both in the United States and around the globe” - freethenipple.com

This radical campaign was created in 2014 by Lina Esco as a way to fight the patriarchal views of women and women’s bodies by society, especially through media. It is without question that there is an existing double standard between men and women, and objectifying as well as degrading the female anatomy only makes society conditioned to think that this form of censorship is okay.

The most common assumption about Free The Nipple is that it is only about accepting public nudity; well yes, that is part of it, but some people fail to realize that it is more than just being able to show your breasts to the world. It is about having the choice over your own body. It is about letting mothers breastfeed their infants in public places. It is about treating women better than before and equal to how society treats men.

The way we view women’s breasts needs to be changed in order for society to be one step closer to achieving total gender equality. The over sexualization of women’s bodies contributes to why we don’t view our own biological attributes as natural; instead we are offended and ashamed. This is because of the influence of the patriarchal society. When girls flaunt their bodies, they are slut-shamed and deemed to be “attention whores”, but when men show theirs, and especially if they are seen as physically attractive, they’re praised. Why is that? Why do we prefer one nipple over the other? Why is it too hard for society to accept all types of bodies? This is exactly what Lina Esco wants us to fight for. If we cannot even view a woman’s body as natural, how can we expect a world without sexism in the future? We need to deal with the little issues because if society becomes more open-minded about such campaigns as Free The Nipple, then there is a high chance that they will start becoming more open-minded about other feminist advocacies as well. This is also why we consider Lina as our girl of the month, because without this movement, a big number of people wouldn’t come to the realization that it is important to support and fight for a woman’s right over her own body.

Not to mention, the film [also directed by Lina Esco herself] itself perfectly sums up what she and the rest of the people behind Free The Nipple want to address.

"The film explores the contradictions in our media-dominated society, where acts of violence and killing are glorified, while images of a woman’s body are censored by the FCC and the MPAA. What is more obscene: Violence or a Nipple?” - freethenipple.com

It is true that society is so used to seeing inhumane and violent acts to the point where it is practically normalized, yet a woman’s body is the one perceived as offensive by most people. It’s disappointing that society would rather watch all these other films and shows that dignify violence than to see a woman’s perfectly natural body in person.

Women have been fighting for their rights for centuries, it is time to realize that this modern patriarchal world would crumble if we don’t let women become as free as men. So we thank Lina Esco for her efforts in wanting to attain an equal society.

You can be a slut. Yes you, my dear. You can be a S-L-U-T. Just follow these 3 easy steps.

1. Wear that short skirt and shortsLet this be clear. If you wear that short skirt and shorts, you are now a slut. It doesn't necessarily even have to be shorts or a skirt, just wear something revealing and voila you are now a whore! You don't even need to do or say anything because apparently just wearing certain clothing makes you a floozy. Hey, don't blame me! These are just generally the rules society has dictated. Anything sexy is now considered slutty. Never mind the fact you're wearing that for your own comfort. Never mind that you wear that top for yourself and not to impress the boys. Never mind that a man can just remove his shirt anywhere and no one would care and when a woman shows just a little skin she's instantly being branded a slut. Never mind that you never really hang around with just guys. Society has now branded you with that label of a slut for just wearing what you want. Congratulations! You are now part of the group of women who are asking for it when they are wearing sexy clothing. You are now part of those women who cause men to sin and who want to get raped. Fantastic!

2. Have several guy friends Just surround yourself with the male species. You don't even need to be dating any of them and I can guarantee you that someone is already calling you a "slutty bitch" behind your back. Don't even bother explaining to people that you're just comfortable having guy friends. Don't even bother trying to tell them you want nothing more outside of friendship. Don't even bother that they're just like brothers or cousins to you. Society does not care for your reasons. It only cares for what their eyes can perceive, and a female who hangs with several guy friends is probably just a slut who flirts with all of them. Maybe you do even a little bit more which they all conclude from just seeing you talk to them. Brilliant!

3. Having a colorful dating history

If you've dated several guys in the past, I'm pretty sure the word slut has come up alongside your name. It doesn't matter that you were just unlucky in love or have made mistakes here and there. Doesn't matter that when a man has the same background he's considered a lucky bachelor, a man who is desired; and yet when a woman dates around, she's the sluttiest girl to hit the town . Doesn't matter that you have just been trying to find the person who would help you become a better person, your soul mate. At the end of the day, what matters is the number of people you've dated, not the amount of times your heart has been broken. What matters in people's eyes is that you've probably slept with all those men and for that, you are a certified slut!

I hope at this point you have understood the sarcasm of this article. The goal of this is to show how awful slut shaming is. Slut shaming as generally defined by a feminist blog is "the idea of shaming and/or attacking a woman or a girl for being sexual, having one or more sexual partners, acknowledging sexual feelings, and/or acting on sexual feelings". Just because she is a woman, it doesn't mean that she deserves to be treated less. It doesn't mean that she needs to be ashamed of her gender, of her body, or asserting her sexuality. It doesn't mean that she deserves to be made to think that she is less than anyone else for wanting things that deviate from society’s standards. Whether it's in relationships, friends, or clothes, a woman is entitled to do what she wants with her body and her life in general, as long as she isn’t hurting anyone or breaking any law. Preventing her from doing so is stripping her from her dignity to live. If she makes mistakes, that's part of life, of learning. Calling her a slut, especially if you're a woman yourself, is disrespectful. You are insulting your very gender when you do so. Her dating life and her clothes do not solely define her as a person. They do not define the goodness in her heart and the light in her eyes. They do not diminish the compassion she has for others and the kindness she has to offer to the world.

If you're a woman reading this, have enough respect for yourself and for others to stop calling each other bitches, sluts, and whores. Stop judging other people for the way they live and instead focus on how to improve your life. If you're a man reading this, no matter what the situation is, do not sink low enough to instantly brand or call a woman a slut no matter how bad you think her behavior or manner of dressing is. It's just plain wrong, and you are dehumanizing them by making them objects you can classify into a certain category.

Lastly, just a friendly reminder dears: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, their belief and their own life. We all breathe and live to suffer or enjoy the consequences of our own actions and inactions. If men and women alike learn to respect and understand this fact, then I think the world would be a much more beautiful place to live in.

There is definitely no shortage of strong female characters in Game of Thrones. Leading the pack would be Daenerys Targaryan but not far behind is Arya Stark, the youngest daughter of the unfortunate Stark clan.

(*SPOILER ALERT*) At a very young age, she was separated from her family and was left to fend for her own. She was forced on a journey that entailed an impossible amount of courage and strength, yet she is still one of the few characters who have survived until the fifth season. But even when she was still with her family, she didn't let the stereotypical notion of womanhood get in her way.

At the time when being a lady meant sewing, wearing pretty dresses, and supporting the men in their lives, she made it clear that a woman wasn't and shouldn’t be defined by all of those things. She showed everyone, even at such a young age, that being a lady means being independent, tough, and smart as well. She wasn't scared to play with boys, get dirty, and defend herself and her family when necessary. She even learned how to fight with her trusty sword, which was a smart decision if I say so myself. Despite the tough and determined attitude, Arya’s character is still able to convey compassion. It's clear in every episode that even though she will do anything to survive, she still knows what's right from wrong.

But the actress behind Arya is equally as strong and determined. Maisie Williams, believe it or not, is only 17. In 2011, she got her first acting job as the orphaned Stark and just like her spunky character, Maisie had to grow up quickly too. Thanks to the hit show she’s starring in, she had to “be an adult” at age 12 which could be why she’s so mature, grounded, and wise for her age. She wouldn’t call herself famous per se but she’s aware of the influence she has which is why she uses it for good by spreading awareness about certain issues. She’s a self-proclaimed feminist and even criticized Emma Watson’s He for She speech for highlighting “first world feminism.” Some may say that what she did was completely the opposite of feminism but she did make a point. But gender equality isn’t the only topic she’s shed some light on. She also fights against breast cancer and cyber bullies. In fact, she’s going to be starring in a new show that talks about cyber bullying after experiencing it herself a few years back. Despite being a busy actress with big responsibilities on her shoulders, she doesn’t forget to be a fun teenager. She still loves going to parties, shopping, and making entertaining Vines. I think we also have to give her props for being confident and brave when it comes to her fashion choices considering people love to criticize anything young celebrities do nowadays.

You might be thinking, “there are so many other feminists who are more active than Maisie so why should we look up to her?” It’s true that are other feminists who’ve contributed or done more but Maisie’s doing something that everyone should do as well. She’s starting the change from herself. She might not be out there making speeches about gender equality but she promotes it in her everyday life. She doesn’t keep quiet about the issues that surround us today by standing her ground and sharing smart opinions on subjects that matter. Although there are many other inspiring female role models, the smart and passionate Maisie should still be considered an inspiration.

From overly sexualized TV commercials to blatantly putting naked bodies on the front page of certain reading materials, we cannot deny that wherever we go, we can easily see proof of the objectification of bodies of people. Through some elements both on print and online, certain aspects of the human body and how it is perceived has changed for the worse and has become more of a source of income than something that should be respected.

A lot of other problems have stemmed through this: like how people see themselves and their own bodies and how people present themselves in public. Some women, for example, have burdened themselves with the thought that if they achieved some physical expectation set by the people behind these marketing techniques, they will be more accepted and loved. Some women would also go to the extent of adjusting their whole wardrobe and how they generally feel about things just to feel better about themselves. These are problems because some things, like certain body parts and the human body in general, have been reduced to existing for the sake of someone else's pleasure or benefit and not as a person's own body.

A few months ago, Caitlin Stasey, a firm believer of equality and women empowerment, put up a website called Herself. In this website, women from different places and walks of life come together to 'reclaim their bodies'. They pose naked, in their truest, most vulnerable forms, and each entry is accompanied by the insights and stories of each woman featured.

“Herself is a gesture to women for women by women; a chance to witness the female form in all its honesty without the burden of the male gaze, without the burden of appealing to anyone. These women are simply & courageously existing, immortalized within these photos. Within their words, their experiences and stories are offered on Herself in the hopes of encouraging solidarity – that maybe we as women will take comfort in the triumphs of others rather than reveling in each other’s defeats. Let us reclaim our bodies. Let us take them back from those who seek to profit from our insecurity.” (Source)

Herself aims to provide a platform for women everywhere to be more than what is being shown on TV or on the internet. It aims to show that women everywhere are more than their breasts and their vagina and their other body parts. There are more to women than their bodies and they should not allow themselves to be enslaved by what they see in the mass media or by what other people are telling them.

Your bodies are not for someone else's pleasure or enjoyment. It's time to reclaim your bodies.

NOTE: We acknowledge that the objectification of bodies does not only happen to women but to men too and it is very important to know that both are not okay. People are more than their bodies and they should not be treated as merely objects available for someone else's pleasure.

Wanna know what starts heated arguments on feminism? It's the misconceptions of feminism. Is it surprising that even if we have the Internet at our disposal at almost any given time that we still have this wrong idea of feminism? I don't think so. Some people don't need to Google what feminism is because it's drilled into their skulls that it's automatically a bad thing. Maybe the Internet's partially to blame as well with all those opinions floating around in space.

Well, here let me clear a few things up to end all of this chaos.

FEMINAZIS ARE VALID FEMINISTS

Here is the definition of feminism, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:

"the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities."

Woah, look at that. Apparently feminists don't oppress men! In fact, all they want is both men and women to be equal, not for men to be crushed under our heels. Although I acknowledge the existence of feminazis or radical feminists, they are not real feminists. What they believe in is that all men are worthless meat sacs filled with bodily fluids. There's actually a term for that: sexism. Here's a definition:

"Sexism is the gender discrimination is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender." (x)

Feminazis treat men with this stereotype that they're all prone to committing misogyny. Of course that isn't true and that is also being unjust. Feminism doesn't believe in that. We believe that women and men should stop treating each other with hostility or unjust inferiority. We're all humans. Let's just keep it at that.

A diagram to explain it better

Feminism is for women Only

What most people believe is that women are always the victims of the deeply established patriarchy. This is not quite true because are also affected by these ideas imposed on society. Again, feminism believes in equality of genders. We believe that men can cry, men can be feminine, and men do not need to follow this preconceived idea of "being a man". What do I mean by this? I mean they don't have to sleep around to be a man. They don't have to lift 200 pounds to be a man. They don't have to watch straight porn all the time to be a man. They don't have to have a penis to be a man. (x) They don't have to be anything they are not to fit into society's cutout of a man. And feminism is there to help them do exactly that.

A perfect example as to why men need feminism

Have some more!

And more.

All Women are Feminists

There are two cases of women who don't support feminism as far as I have researched. If you check out this Buzzfeed article, it gives you 14 women who say they don't need feminism. But in actuality, it's their reactions to the wrong type of feminism or feminazis. Feminazis are traumatizing and they are not afraid to tell someone to kill themselves because they defend men. This movement has affected women who were looking for equality and has made them disassociate themselves with the true movement of feminism. This is very disappointing but the way people should address is to consider their situation first as to how they could have come to this belief rather than viciously attacking them for being slightly wrong.

The second case is of women who slut-shame or shame other women in general for their interests and hobbies. Have you seen those posts that say "date a girl who reads" or "date a girl who watches [insert TV show]" or etc? I don't think there is anything wrong with that because I'm pretty sure dating a girl who reads or watching this certain TV show does have its advantages. But when people put too much context into what was said, that's when they cross the line. I have seen people react to those posts practically saying that those who love books or a certain TV show are so much better than girls who like to party, who like to go out and be extroverts (which is a whole other argument) or whatever. That's called internalized sexism. Those who slut-shame also do the exact same thing because they shame women for wanting to have sex or for wanting to dress provocatively. Those who shame a woman for crying and not being what we call "strong" do the same. This is not what feminism's all about.

We don't need all this criticism in the world. We just need to be more open, accept people as human beings, and treat them equally with respect. That basically sums up feminism.

"Feminism is not a dirty word. It doesn't mean you hate men, it doesn't mean you hate girls that has nice legs and a tan, and it doesn't mean that you're a bitch or a dyke. It means that you believe in equality."- Kate Nash

With all the problems and issues going on around the world today and with the influx of information literally at the tip of our fingers, it's up to us to determine and filter the things that we will allow ourselves to know and work on. After immersing ourselves in various forms of media and knowledge, it's up to us to decide on what we can do with all these information. One day, after several long hours of thinking and contemplating, 27-year-old British indie singer Kate Nash decided that she wanted to change. She said:

"I've grown lazy because I’d rather look at pretty pictures of cool stuff than read about Gaza, or I can’t finish a book because I’m used to information in 140 characters these days. Well I realised this about myself and decided to change that. This is not the kind of grown up I want to be. I want to be informed and I want to be part of inciting change and fighting injustices. I can’t do that if my area of expertise is cute Youtube videos or cool girls on Instagram." (Source) And so this multi-talented singer-songwriter and occasional actress decided to take the second step: she tried to figure out what she can do with all the information she now has and figure out how she can help out through her area of expertise. Knowing that she can't just proceed with anything alone, she came up with Girl Gang.

Wake up every morning and tell yourself you're a badass bitch from hell and that no one can fuck with and then don't let anybody fuck with you.

Girl Gang is a weekly meeting that Kate first held in her garage. By rounding up a group of like-minded girls around her area, they created a strong group of individuals who discuss different issues and beliefs and in the process, empower each other to become better. Through the songs and videos they post on their Youtube channel and various social media accounts, the members of Girl Gang get to express themselves and show the world the things they do and advocate. After a few months, Girl Gang meetings are not just limited to the confines of Kate's garage. People of all gender from all over the world have come together in their own neighborhoods and started their own Girl Gang meetings - all done with the help of social media.

Kate Nash is one of the many artists who utilize what they have and where they are to connect with other people and do their best to help out in the various causes and issues happening around the world. Through music and social media, Kate Nash was able to bring something similar to the 90's Riot Grrrl movement into the 21st century and consequently, giving people a new way to express themselves and you can join too!

In the past, women were treated as a graveyard of men. Women were only used to be rested upon by men’s tired bones—treated as if they were not necessary in the evolution of mankind. Prostitution, domestic service, housewives, insufficiency, these are a few examples of gender inequality. Originally, the movement for feminism was a struggle (it still is! But it is improving) and was only done by women for women. Fortunately, as the years go by, some men have begun to defend women and join them in the fight for gender equality. Men are starting to promote equality and call out all the wrongdoings in the past millenniums. One of these movements is called HeForShe. It’s vision is to bring harmony from one half of the community to support the other half. They believe that the only way to stop sexism is by promoting gender equality. The campaign encourages both women and men, together, to put an end to sexism.

There are three key messages of HeForShe:

⊕ Gender inequality is one of the most persistent human rights violations of our time. Despite many years of promoting gender equality, inequalities among women/girls and men/boys continue to manifest in egregious ways around the world.

⊕HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality that engages men and boys as advocates and stakeholders, to break the silence, raise their voices and take action for the achievement of gender equality.

⊕ Gender equality is not only a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that affects all of us– women and girls, men and boys alike. We all benefit socially, politically, and economically from gender equality in our everyday lives. When women are empowered, the whole of humanity benefits. Gender equality liberates not only women but also men, from prescribed social roles and gender stereotypes.

Well first, let me share with you a little conversation I had with a random dude on Twitter.

It started when I replied to Madison Lawrence, a viner and fellow feminist, who tweeted a photo of a girl wearing a #MENINIST sweater (pictured on the homepage). That girl started getting "hate" because people were frustrated about her supporting this so-called movement which makes fun of feminism in a way, and I sort of got pissed off too. From what I've seen, meninism on social media is just disgusting.

This is how it went down:

Then, out of nowhere, a random guy sent us this:

I'm not going to lie, I was actually shocked by what the website says. This is the first time I've read a "positive note" about meninism. So this is the rest of what happened:

And then it took him three days to reply back. I don't know if it's because he didn't have anything to say at that time or because of other reasons. He then sent me another source:

But the problem is, he contradicted himself by citing urbandictionary.com as a "reliable" source. Eventually, I gave up trying to prove my point and he probably did too.

This little incident actually got me thinking about what does Meninism actually stand for. Yes, most people treat it as a "jokes" that degrade women, but some use it to fight the unrealistic expectations and unfair treatment of men by women. Buzzfeed did an article about it and included these tweets:

"How about you girls make a guy's day for once? We enjoy cheap gifts too". "I'm done sliding in dms. you slide into mine #MeninistTwitter" "Stop objectifying men. Real men have curves. #MeninistTwitter"x

But this just completely confuses me. Feminism is about equality for everyone, that includes men too. Plus, most of the tweets featured on the article not only generalize the female population as a gender that is so picky with men's physical appearance, but also does show mockery towards women. I also don't see the point of having to come up with a new term to call a man who supports the ideals of feminism. Is it because fem is in it? From my knowledge, the only reason why this gender equality movement is called feminism is because this was coined in the late 1800's when a patriarchal society was way too evident to give women equal rights. So this did start as a way for women's voices to be heard at a time when people only listened to men, but it has come along way since then. Why can't men who support equality be called feminists too?

I think this just goes to show how a lot of people are still misinformed about feminism and what it really supports. I feel like people still think of it as "man hating" but it isn't. There's a difference between feminism and misandry. I myself am a feminist that supports equality for all genders.

I personally do not support this whole meninism thing because I only see it as a means to hate on feministic views, but then again I might be wrong and meninism could actually be a good thing. Although, it might be hard to convince me if that's the case.